The Complete Wiki to the Bose $99 Wired ANC Earphones

Bose is going back to wires.

On September 28, 2026, Bose announced its Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, marking the company's first new wired earbuds in 11 years. Priced at $99, the earphones combine a USB-C wired connection with Bose's QuietControl active noise cancellation. Bose

The unusual part is that Bose isn't simply bringing back an old design. These are modern wired earphones with USB-C, ANC, lossless audio support and no internal battery.

Bose Wired ANC Earbuds Quick Facts

Bose says the earbuds connect directly to compatible USB-C phones, tablets and computers, with no Bluetooth pairing or companion app required. Bose

Bose Is Back to Wired Audio After 11 Years

This is the biggest story behind the product.

Bose spent more than a decade focused heavily on wireless headphones and earbuds. Its new wired model is therefore a surprising return to a category that seemed to be disappearing from premium consumer audio.

Bose says the return comes as wired listening experiences a renewed cultural interest, particularly among younger listeners. WIRED reported that the company noticed the resurgence among teenagers and young adults, helping inspire the new product. WIRED

The company also developed the earbuds unusually quickly, taking around eight to nine months from concept to product, according to Bose's president of consumer audio, Raza Haider. WIRED

USB-C Instead of a 3.5mm Jack

These aren't old-school 3.5mm earphones.

Bose uses USB-C as the direct connection to the source device.

That makes the earbuds much more relevant to today's phones, tablets and laptops, many of which have moved away from traditional headphone ports.

The USB connection also supplies the power required to operate the earbuds' electronics and ANC.

No Battery and No Charging

One of the biggest differences between these and Bose's wireless earbuds is what they don't have.

There is no internal battery.

The earphones draw power directly from the connected USB-C device, meaning users don't need to charge them before listening. Bose says this also powers the QuietControl noise-cancellation system. Bose

That removes one of the biggest inconveniences of wireless earbuds:

You can't run out of earbud battery if there isn't an earbud battery to begin with.

Bose QuietControl ANC

The $99 price would make these ordinary wired earbuds interesting.

Adding active noise cancellation makes them much more unusual.

Bose uses its QuietControl technology with four microphones, two on each earbud, to monitor surrounding sound and reduce unwanted noise. Bose

There are three listening modes:

Quiet Mode

Activates noise cancellation to reduce surrounding distractions.

Aware Mode

Allows more environmental sound through when users need to hear what's happening around them.

ANC Off

Turns active noise cancellation off for straightforward wired listening.

The modes can be changed using the inline remote.

24-bit/48kHz Lossless Audio

Bose is also using the USB-C connection to focus on audio quality.

The earbuds use Bose's SoundDesign digital signal processing and support lossless audio playback, with output fixed at 24-bit/48kHz. The company uses the USB Audio Class 2 protocol for the connection. Bose

The direct connection also means the earbuds don't need to compress audio through Bluetooth.

That can make the wired design particularly interesting for listeners who care about lossless playback or low latency.

Low-Latency Gaming and Video

Another advantage of the wired connection is latency.

Because audio travels directly through the USB-C connection rather than through a wireless Bluetooth link, Bose says the earbuds provide low-latency performance.

That makes them useful for:

• Gaming
• Watching movies
• Video editing
• Music production
• Content creation
• Video calls

Bose specifically positions the earbuds as suitable for gaming because of their wired connection. Bose

Inline Remote and Microphone

Instead of putting all controls on the earbuds, Bose uses a three-button inline remote attached to the cable.

It can control:

• Volume
• Play/pause
• Track selection
• Calls
• ANC modes

The remote also contains a dedicated microphone designed for voice calls.

The controls can switch between Quiet, Aware and ANC Off modes without requiring a phone app. Bose

Fit and Ear Tips

Bose includes multiple options for getting the right fit.

The box includes:

• Small, medium and large ear tips
• Medium and large stability wings

That gives users nine possible ear-tip and stability-band combinations according to Bose. Bose

The stability wings are removable, so users who prefer a simpler fit can use the earbuds without them.

Design and Colors

The Bose Wired ANC Earbuds have a relatively compact design, but Bose has given them a more colorful appearance than many of its traditional audio products.

They are available in:

• Black
• White Smoke
• Dewdrop Mint

The Dewdrop Mint version is a limited-edition color with a deliberately nostalgic look.

Bose also includes a zippered carrying case.

IPX4 Water Resistance

The earbuds have an IPX4 rating.

That means they are designed to handle everyday splashes and light exposure to water, but they are not waterproof and shouldn't be submerged.

Bose positions them for normal everyday use rather than heavy water exposure. Bose

Why Is Bose Bringing Wired Earbuds Back?

The timing is probably the most interesting part.

Wireless earbuds have dominated the mainstream market for years, but wired headphones have started appearing more often again.

WIRED reported that wired headphone sales increased during late 2025 and early 2026, with younger consumers helping drive renewed interest. WIRED

For Bose, the appeal isn't necessarily that wireless audio was a mistake.

Instead, wired earbuds offer a different set of advantages:

No charging.

No Bluetooth pairing.

No wireless latency.

Direct USB-C connection.

Lossless audio support.

ANC without an internal battery.

Bose is essentially taking those advantages and adding the company's premium audio and noise-cancellation technology.

How Much Do They Cost?

The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds cost $99 in the United States.

Bose opened preorders on September 28, with shipping scheduled to begin October 15, 2026. They are available directly through Bose and authorized retailers. Bose

Who Are These Earbuds For?

These aren't necessarily designed to replace wireless earbuds for everyone.

They're more interesting for people who want:

• A pair of earbuds that never needs charging
• Reliable USB-C connectivity
• Low-latency audio
• Lossless playback
• ANC without battery management
• A simple plug-and-play setup
• A backup pair for travel
• Wired earbuds for gaming or laptops

For someone who already owns premium wireless earbuds, the Bose pair could instead work as a second set for specific situations.

🎮 The Bottom Line

Bose's $99 Wired ANC Earbuds aren't simply a nostalgia product.

They take something that disappeared from premium audio for more than a decade and update it for today's USB-C devices.

You get QuietControl ANC, 24-bit/48kHz audio, low latency and an inline remote, but without Bluetooth pairing or an internal battery.

Bose isn't saying wireless audio is over.

It's betting that some people have realized that sometimes plugging in is actually easier.